SACRAMENTO, California — The California state scientists’ union overwhelmingly approved a contract deal with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration yesterday, ending a four-year standoff that included a first-of-its-kind strike.
The California Association of Professional Scientists, which represents about 5,000 employees, held a ratification vote over the last two weeks on an agreement that delivers raises of about 10 percent for most and up to 24 percent for those who had already maxed out their pay. There are additional bumps for longevity, those with advanced degrees, those living in high-cost areas and who work certain shifts.
An email sent to union members Friday said a “record-breaking” 91 percent of members voted, with 97 percent approving the contract.
The vote ends a painful labor dispute in which negotiations broke down and Newsom had been preparing to unilaterally impose pay and working conditions on the employees — including environmental scientists, epidemiologists and chemists — without an agreement.
